Nuggets ponder matchups against LeBron James as Miami Heat arrives in town

By Terry Frei The Denver Post

Posted:
11/15/2012 10:43:07 AM MST

DENVER -- Thanks to the vagaries of the early-season schedule, the Nuggets' game against LeBron James and the Miami Heat on Thursday night will be their second meeting with the defending NBA champions in 13 days.

From the box-office standpoint, it is the type of game that goes on the marquee message board along Speer Boulevard and is featured in multiple-game ticket packages.

From the basketball standpoint, it's one of the squares on the schedule that can lead you to point, nod and declare that these are the types of nights behind Denver's acquisition of Andre Iguodala from Philadelphia in the offseason. He adds defensive grit, whether he's matched up directly against the opposing superstar or on someone else.

This is far from a new experience for Iguodala, given his eight seasons in the Eastern Conference, but Iguodala again likely will matched up defensively on James in the 8:30 p.m. matchup at the Pepsi Center. It won't be exclusive, considering he guarded Dwyane Wade for significant portions of the Heat's 119-116 victory over the Nuggets in Miami on Nov. 3.

"He's the best basketball player in the league right now," Iguodala said of James after practice Wednesday. "He's playing really well, at a high level. He really doesn't have any weaknesses, and that's the biggest challenge. He can pass the ball, he can lead the team, he can rebound, defend, block shots, fill the passing lanes. So you really can't make mistakes.

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"You have to play him honest. You have to go head-up, is what it comes down to."

James had an unspectacular night in the Heat's win over the Nuggets in Miami, going 8-for-17 from the floor and getting 20 points. Wade also was quiet, scoring only 14 points. But James had 11 assists that night, and center Chris Bosh lit up the Nuggets for 40 points.

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